Black Friday is One of the Busiest Days of the Year for Plumbers

This strikes me as very funny. Not only is Black Friday the busiest shopping day of the year, but it also turns out that it is one of the busiest days of the year for plumbers. Who would have thought that plumbing problems would be on the rise the day following the biggest pig-out of the year?

According to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, calls on Black Friday are typically up 50% from a normal Friday. The number one culprit for Black Friday plumbing problems is people trying to put too much down their garbage disposal systems, or people putting things down the garbage disposal that really shouldn't be in there in the first place. The other problem area is, you guessed it, bathrooms. We'll leave it at that.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has offered the following tips for avoiding plumbing problems on Black Friday:

Use the garbage can, or compost, instead of the garbage disposal. Fats, bones, peels and fibrous foods can clog drains and damage the disposal. Once fats and grease cool, pour everything into a container and toss it in the trash.

Running water is a good thing. Run the water from your kitchen sink before using the disposal and again after using the disposal to help flush the line. Run the water for several seconds.

In the bathroom. Do not throw anything extra down the toilet, and when it comes to showers, consider an on-demand recirculating system. This provides instant hot water, and your guests will appreciate it.

Preventative maintenance. If water drains slowly in the shower or sink and it's been a while since you've had a plumbing inspection, it may be a good time to call a trusted plumbing professional. They can help identify potential problems and help you avoid an embarrassing situation when you have a house full of guests.